Reconstruction to be "pride of place" at planned visitors center in Leicester, central England

Supporters of King Richard III want a just-revealed reconstruction of the monarch's head to bring a human aspect to a leader portrayed through the centuries as a murderous villain who butchered his way to power.

The Richard III Society commissioned the reconstruction -- which was unveiled before media in London Tuesday -- after remains believed to be those of the medieval king were discovered under in a parking lot in Leicester, England.

Scientists announced Monday that DNA testing had established that the skeleton was indeed that of Richard III.

Society chairman Dr. Phil Stone told reporters in London that the discovery and identification of the monarch had been "a momentous time" for the society. He praised screenwriter Philippa Langley's "tenacity and bloody-mindedness" in pursuing the project to locate his remains.

Langley said her aims had been two-fold -- to try to find Richard III so that his remains could be retrieved from an "undignified place" and to "go in search of the real Richard III."

Seeing the facial reconstruction, she said, had been the most important moment. "It was the biggest moment because suddenly the aim of seeing the real Richard III came true. That's a man who is three-dimensional in every sense."

In a statement, she said: "The experience was breathtaking -- one of the most overwhelming moments of my life.

"I wasn't alone in finding this an approachable, kindly face, almost inviting conversation."

Caroline Wilkinson, Professor of Craniofacial Identification at the University of Dundee led the reconstruction project.

In a statement, she said Richard III's facial structure was based on "anatomical assessment and interpretation, and a 3D replication process known as stereolithography."

"The final head was pained and textured with glass eyes and a wig, using the portraits as reference, to create a realistic and regal appearance."

Janice Aitken -- from the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee -- said CT scans of the monarch's skull had been used to build the reconstruction, 70% of which was within 2mm accuracy.